Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing method to assess quantitative myocardial blood flow and/or myocardial flow reserve, comprising the steps of: (a) pre-processing of images comprises: (i) reconstructing dynamic cine 3D tomographic myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) data, (ii) optionally, denoising to improve the quality of image, (iii) extracting blood input function from a region of interest (ROI) of the left ventricle blood cavity, (iv) estimating the distribution volume (DV), given by the ratio of uptake and washout rates (K1/k2) to stabilize and improve estimation of K1, k2 and total blood volume (TBV) and subsequent myocardial blood flow measures, and (v) data normalization by dividing by the maximum of the blood input function; (b) assessing the individual signals pre-processed in step (a) in order to generate K1 and TBV parametric maps using artificial neural network; (c) post-processing of K1, k2 and TBV parametric maps; and of rest and stress myocardial blood flow to estimate myoca

Abstract: A manufacturing system includes a tape advancing through the manufacturing system and a station of the manufacturing system. The tape includes a first portion having grains of an inorganic material bound by an organic binder. The station of the manufacturing system receives the first portion of the tape and prepares the tape for sintering by chemically changing the organic binder and/or removing the organic binder from the first portion of the tape, leaving the grains of the inorganic material, to form a second portion of the tape and, at least in part, prepare the tape for sintering.

Abstract: A method of modifying a rotor blade is provided for a rotor blade including a spar having an inboard portion with a substantially constant overall height, the inboard portion further including a top layer having a substantially constant first thickness and a bottom layer having a substantially constant second thickness. The method includes removing a root portion of the inboard portion to thereby modify the rotor blade and installing a cuff configured to couple to the rotor blade to an aircraft.

Abstract: Methods for forming a device structure including a high-k dielectric layer are disclosed. An exemplary method includes using a first cyclical deposition process to deposit a dielectric layer on a substrate and using a second cyclical deposition process to deposit a capping layer directly on the dielectric layer. The methods also include thermally annealing the dielectric layer with the capping layer directly thereon to form a high-k dielectric layer. Exemplary device structures are disclosure, such as metal-insulator-metal capacitor structures.

Abstract: A case for a portable electronic device that includes a rigid outer layer and a more flexible inner layer is disclosed herein. The case is a single piece case. The outer layer has openings that extend through the thickness of the outer layer. The openings are connected by a groove in the outer layer. The openings and the groove may be filled by a more flexible material. The inner layer has openings. The outer layer is translucent so that the inner layer may be visible through the outer layer.

Abstract: A rotor blade for a rotary wing aircraft includes a leading edge and a trailing edge defining a chordwise direction. The leading edge defines a forward end of the rotor blade and the trailing edge defines an aft end of the rotor blade. The rotor blade has a center of gravity and an aerodynamic center along the chordwise direction. The center of gravity is aft of the aerodynamic center.

Abstract: Components for valve treatment systems are disclosed. Valve treatment systems can include a delivery system for an implantable device. The delivery system can include one or more of clasp control components slidably disposed on a catheter handle, a control element for opening and closing the implantable device, a catheter assembly with features to reduce friction with another catheter assembly, grips for attaching catheter assemblies to clamps, catheter assemblies with features that stiffen or provide variable stiffness, and catheter assemblies with one or more steering control lumens incorporated into a reinforcement layer.

Abstract: A heating element for a vaporizer cartridge is provided. The vaporizer cartridge may include a reservoir containing vaporizable material and a wicking element in fluid communication with the reservoir. The heating element may include a heating portion, a cartridge contact, and a leg. The heating portion includes at least two tines spaced apart from one another. The cartridge contact may be in in electrical communication with a power source. The leg extends between the heating portion and the cartridge contact. The heating portion may be crimped around the wicking element such that the heating portion secures the wicking element to the heating element and contacts at least two surfaces of the wicking element.

Abstract: Implants, devices, systems and methods for maintaining, correcting and/or fusing joint deformities are disclosed. The implant including a first member, a second member, and a coupling member with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end engages the first member and the second end engages the second member. Methods of using the implants for maintaining, correcting and/or fusing joint deformities are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first member coupled to a second member. The first member defines a chamber containing a dry powder and includes a chamber wall that forms an outer boundary of the chamber. The second member includes a surface covering the chamber and defines an intake channel and an exit channel. The exit channel is fluidically coupled to the chamber via an exit opening. The intake channel is fluidically coupled to the chamber via an intake port. A center line of the intake channel is tangential to a portion of the chamber wall such that a portion of an inlet airflow conveyed into the chamber via the intake channel has a rotational motion. The intake port is defined at least in part by an intake ramp. The intake ramp includes a transition surface that forms an exit angle with respect to the surface of less than 105 degrees.

Abstract: A method of migrating unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations between geographic survey areas, including: uploading a first plurality of flight missions into a first UAV pod; deploying the UAV pod; autonomously launching the UAV from the UAV pod a plurality of times to perform the first plurality of flight missions; providing first survey data from the UAV to the UAV pod; autonomously migrating the UAV from the first UAV pod to a second UAV pod; receiving a second plurality of flight missions in a second UAV pod; providing the UAV with one of the second plurality of flight missions from the second UAV pod; autonomously launching the UAV from the second UAV pod a plurality of times to perform the second plurality of flight missions; and providing a second survey data from the UAV to the second UAV pod; where the autonomous migrating of the UAV to accomplish the first and second survey data happens autonomously and without active human intervention.

Abstract: A method for selectively depositing silicon nitride on a first material relative to a second material is disclosed. An exemplary method includes treating the first material, and then selectively depositing a layer comprising silicon nitride on the second material relative to the first material. Exemplary methods can further include treating the deposited silicon nitride.

Abstract: The invention provides in method and systems for determining the amount of solid precursor in a precursor vessel of a semiconductor manufacturing process, wherein the amount of precursor in the precursor vessel is determined by measuring through monochromatic measurements an optical absorption in the process gas flowing from the precursor vessel to the process chamber.

Abstract: Methods and systems for depositing vanadium nitride layers onto a surface of the substrate and structures and devices formed using the methods are disclosed. An exemplary method includes using a cyclical deposition process, depositing a vanadium nitride layer onto a surface of the substrate. The cyclical deposition process can include providing a vanadium halide precursor to the reaction chamber and separately providing a nitrogen reactant to the reaction chamber. The cyclical deposition process may desirably be a thermal cyclical deposition process.

Abstract: A system for transmitting and receiving wireless signals through a physical barrier, such as walls or windows, to wireless computing devices that are located internal to a structure that is formed in part by the physical barrier. The wireless signals are millimeter waveforms with gigahertz frequencies that are communicated with 5G communication protocols by one or more remote base station nodes located external to the physical barrier. One or more external antennas are configured to communicate RF wireless signals with HMA waveforms to remote wireless base station. In one or more embodiments, the RF wireless signals are amplified and communicated bi-statically through the window barrier between customer premises equipment and an authorized remote wireless base station.

Abstract: The manufacture of semiconductor devices may include methods of forming vanadium metal on a substrate. The methods comprise providing a substrate in a reaction chamber, providing a vanadium precursor to the reaction chamber in a vapor phase and providing a reducing agent to the reaction chamber in a vapor phase to form vanadium metal on the substrate.

Abstract: In one implementation, a method for a solar cell array is provided, the method includes emitting a communication message from the solar cell array by reverse biasing the solar cell array so as to cause at least a portion of the solar array to emit a detectable amount of radiation corresponding to the communication message. In one embodiment a solar cell array circuit is provided including a solar string comprising a plurality of solar cells coupled together, a charge storage device coupled to a power bus, and a bidirectional boost-buck converter having a first and second pair of MOSFETs connected in series between positive and negative rails of the power bus with an inductor coupled from between the first and second paired MOSFETs to a charging output of the solar string.

Abstract: A method for automatically controlling a display system for a work vehicle having a first implement supported at a first end of a chassis, a second implement supported at a second end of the chassis, and a chair that is selectively movable between a first position oriented toward the first end of the work vehicle and a second position oriented toward the second end of the work vehicle. The method may include receiving an input indicative of a position of the chair and an input indicative of an operating state of the work vehicle. Additionally, the method may include controlling a display device to display image data from an imaging device associated with a first portion of a worksite or a second portion of the worksite based at least in part on the position of the chair and the operating state of the work vehicle.